Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania wine flies under the radar, but it shouldn’t. With over 300 years of winemaking history, the state helped lay the foundation for American wine, and it hasn’t stopped evolving since.

From Lake Erie to the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania winemakers are blending tradition and innovation in one of the most challenging yet rewarding climates in the country.

By the Numbers

70+

Pennsylvania vineyards grow more than 70 different grape varieties, including vinifera, hybrids, and native species.

300+

Pennsylvania is home to over 300 wineries, making it one of the top 10 wine-producing states in the U.S.

5 The state includes five federally recognized AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), including the Lake Erie AVA, one of the oldest and most productive in the eastern U.S.

If These Vines Could Talk

Pennsylvania's wine story started before America did.

Early colonists were planting grapes here in the 1600s, and by the 1800s, Pennsylvania was a major hub for American wine.

The Grapes

Chambourcin

Chambourcin is Pennsylvania’s standout red hybrid. It's deeply colored, medium-bodied, and full of dark fruit and spice. It grows well across the state’s diverse climates and is often the flagship red at many wineries.

Riesling

Cool-climate Riesling in Pennsylvania offers high acidity, floral aromatics, and a range of sweetness levels. Lake Erie and southeastern Pennsylvania are key growing zones.

Niagara

Known for its bold, grapey aroma, Niagara is a native hybrid used in sweet and semi-sweet wines. It’s especially common in the Lake Erie region.

Cabernet Franc

Cab Franc is gaining popularity in Pennsylvania, offering red berry fruit, herbs, and moderate tannins. It performs well in the state’s southeast, including Berks and Bucks Counties.

Concord

Concord is widely planted in Pennsylvania for both wine and juice production. It’s sweet, nostalgic, and still a staple of the local wine scene, especially near Lake Erie.

Traminette

A hybrid descendant of Gewürztraminer, Traminette is aromatic, spicy, and cold-hardy: perfect for Pennsylvania’s climate. Often made in a semi-dry style with floral and lychee notes.

Vidal Blanc

Vidal Blanc is a cold-hardy white hybrid known for its tropical aromas and ability to produce excellent ice-style and off-dry wines. It’s widely grown across Pennsylvania.

Learn more about U.S. wine grapes

History

1683

Penn's First Vineyard

William Penn, the Quaker founder of Pennsylvania, plants a vineyard in the colony, one of the earliest known vine plantings in the American colonies.

1700s–1800s

Native Grape Experiments

Settlers experiment with native grapes like Catawba, Concord, and Niagara throughout the state.

1830s–1850s

Wine on the Rise

Pennsylvania sees growth in grape cultivation and wine production, especially in Erie County and Philadelphia.

1860s–1900s

Erie Becomes a Grape Powerhouse

The area around Lake Erie becomes a major hub for Concord grapes, used for juice and wine.

1919–1933

Prohibition Slows the Industry

Wine production halts; some vineyards survive by selling grapes for juice or religious use.

1968

Pennsylvania Wine Reborn

Pennsylvania Limited Winery Act allows small wineries to operate and sell directly to consumers.

1980s–1990s

Regional Growth & AVAs

Wineries expand across the state; Lake Erie AVA and Central Delaware Valley AVA are established.

2000s

Vinifera Gains Ground

Wineries begin producing quality Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Lemberger.

2010s

Wine Trails and Agri-Tourism Expand

Dozens of wine trails and tasting rooms attract visitors, boosting awareness of Pennsylvania wine.

2020s

Innovation, Hybrids & Heritage Revival

Producers embrace hybrid grapes, natural wine, and explore historic winemaking techniques in regions like Brandywine and Lehigh Valley.